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...Sun, sand and sea, a thousand robinson Crusoe islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens; a perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination. However there is more to the Maldives than just that..."

Popular Maldives Scuba Diving Sites

ARI ATOLL :
Topographically, Ari Atoll diving differs from many others in the Maldives since it does not feature many long stretches of barrier reef. Instead, there are a lot of thilas here where submerged pinnacles both inside and outside the atoll lagoons act as sites of marine aggregation, making for wonderful diving both in and around the pinnacles and in the channels. Many divers consider the dive sites of the Ari Atoll to be the best in the Maldives and is featured prominently on the itineraries of many Maldivian live-aboards.

Major Points of Attraction

Sharks, manta rays and other pelagic fish are more commonly encountered around Ari Atoll and even the mighty whale shark regularly puts in appearances. Although there are spots elsewhere for sharks and mantas the most reliable sites for this ever popular passing trade are located here.

Maaya Thila - If not the premiere dive site in the Maldives, then one of the best. This pinnacle has a tumultuous assortment of sea life, with an amazing variety and volume of creatures. Brightly coloured nudibranchs vie for your attention with giant frogfish. Turtles can be seen happily munching on the reef, and the elusive guitar shark can be spotted by the alert diver.

Fish Head - Another Ari Atoll pinnacle, this one being a favourite for packs of grey reef sharks, that buzz past in search of food. Neverending trains of fusiliers and batfish often shoot past on the ocean highway, to further destinations at the atoll.

Hammerhead Point - This dive site is often visited by liveaboards early morning. Its proximity to deep waters lends the location the best chances of getting close to schooling hammerhead sharks.

NORTH MALE' ATOLL:
North Male is one the best known and most explored areas of the Maldives, having long been recognised as providing a great variety of diving, beautiful scenery and close proximity to the international airport makes it a destination which is relatively easy to get to.

North Male diving is characterised by reefs, caves and drop offs. The atoll sees plenty of fish action and is generally a good area for large pelagics, with sharks and mantas at the front of the queue.

There are also some recent wrecks left by a few ships passing through the channels, already bustling with marine life. In addition, the North Male dive sites enjoy some of the best coral reefs in the Maldives and dive spots in this area are as healthy and bright as anywhere in the world.

Major Points of Attraction

Manta Point - Manta Point, which lies in the northern section of the channel leading out of the Ari Atoll, is - as the name suggests - an ideal place that's great for close encounters with Mantas Rays, not just for observing manta rays at close quarters, but also reef residents such as octopus, moray eels and white-tip reef sharks.. From December until the middle of April, the Mantas are regulars at this site, the topography and the location of the site making it an ideal habitat for all species of fish that live on plankton.

Girifushi Thila - A pinnacle covered in a riot of colourful soft corals, swept with currents that sweep in masses of schooling fish.